Hundreds of employees of Power Development Department (PDD) Monday started an indefinite state-wide pen-down strike to protest “unbundling” and press for their other demands.
Unbundling is an ostensible structural reform that involvesseparation of core functions of power companies like generation, transmissionand distribution. This process is often directed towards privatisation resentedby the employees.
The strike called by J&K Electrical Employees Union(JKEEU) resulted in a lockdown of PDD offices and workshops across Srinagar andelsewhere as the protesting employees gathered in their respective zonesholding placards and banners.
Protests were held in district and zonal headquarters ofBaramulla, Islamabad, Sopore, Jammu, Kathua, Bemina, Ganderbal and severalother places across the state.
The employees resent unbundling of PDD and demandregularisation of temporary employees, salary of daily wagers, risk allowances,creation of new posts and pension for employees of Power DevelopmentCorporation.
“We gathered at several places across the state against theunbundling of our department and other issue which we have already bought tothe notice of higher authorities. So far only offices and workshops are beinglocked down, but if government did not pay heed to our demands it may affectthe essential service which we do not want,” Mohammad Maqbool Najar, presidentJKEEU said.
“The move to unbundle the department without taking usonboard is affecting our future and our other demands pending from years arenot addressed. There are issues like regularisation of our daily wagers andrelease of their wages pending for years swiftly.”
Najar said the government had so far given them only verbalassurances.
The employees said that despite several rounds of talks withthe government, their demands were not addressed which has forced them to gofor an indefinite strike until their demands were met.